Although there are multiple reasons Albany’s Invision Technologies, LLC has distinguished itself as one of the area’s leading technology companies, it’s clear the company’s focus on relationship building and an integrated service delivery model that truly meets needs, have been the keys to the company’s past, present and future successes. 

While a lot of the company’s early strides had as much to do with founder Jay Pollock’s determination and belief in himself, each of those steps were rooted in Pollock’s ability to build relationships, understand needs and ensure they’re met in a manner that’s best suited to the client. 

“There was a problem in the marketplace,” Pollock said. “One of the problems was, the typical approach was what we call the ‘hourly, break/fix approach,’ where your computer’s broken, you call me, and for a certain dollar per hour I come out there and work on it, and then you get a bill. 

“That does not build the world’s best relationship.” 

To combat that, Pollock began employing a model popular in other markets, but had not caught on in Southwest Georgia. That model, Pollock believes, creates better symbiosis between Invision and its clients, and is more conducive to providing high-level service and generating good will. 

“I started doing what’s now called ‘managed services,’” he said. “We started doing what we call an ‘all-you-can-eat’ model of you pay one monthly contract fee and we just handle your technology—basically outsource it, like you have an IT department.” 

That model has also proven to be beneficial to growth as well. By employing managed services, Pollock has better positioned Invision to serve more as a partner than a vendor simply delivering a service on request. In short, that model provides piece of mind to all involved, and binds Invision and its clients in a powerful way. 

In addition to differentiating the company through the managed services approach, another essential part of Invision’s success was the company’s foray into telephone systems, through the acquisition of Atlantic Tel-Com (ATC) in 2013. That move coincided with a significant shift in the telecommunications industry from traditional telephone systems to what is known as voice over internet protocol (VOIP). That helped further integrate technology systems, allowing Invision to handle more client technology and communications needs. 

“So, I decided that was a good move to make,” Pollock said of his initial thoughts of acquiring ATC. “I had nothing going on and didn’t even know the people that worked there really. It was just an idea.” 

Fortunately for Pollock, since founding Invision he had also rekindled a connection with AB&T CEO Perry Revell, whose banking expertise and shared vision for relationship-building have proven invaluable in the growth of Invision. And that relationship was instrumental in turning Pollock’s Atlantic Tel-Com idea into a reality. 

“I’ve known Perry my whole life, or at least since elementary school or tee-ball or something like that,” Pollock said. “Perry helped me out with the SBA part. 

“I had never bought a company before, and their revenue, when I started talking to them, was greater than my revenue. So, it was a bit uphill. It was basically doubling the company. So that was a lot to take on. And I didn’t know anything about a purchase contract, how you do multiples, how the SBA works, all of that stuff. Perry was a lot of help.” 

Since then, Invision has continued to grow, acquiring smaller IT firms and even making a foray into physical security systems when Pollock brought in shareholder Jay Carpenter and absorbed the security systems business Carpenter and his father had been running. 

That move, which brought even more integrated systems under the Invision umbrella, also helped bolster the company’s expansion into Middle Georgia, where Invision has continued to succeed. 

But while that expansion has certainly been kind to Invision’s bottom line, Pollock said it also gives him a sense of accomplishment knowing he’s able to bring what he believes is a better way of doing business into the market. 

“There was opportunity for us to serve the community, because our tag line is ‘empowering communities through technology,’” Pollock explained. “That’s basically what we do. We use all these things so that you can do whatever it is that you do. My job, at the end of the day, is to do something that helps you. 

“That’s what we’re here to do and we want to expand that and make it successful.” 

There are various reasons Pollock believes Invision will continue to see success, not the least of which is knowing that he has a banking partner in Perry and AB&T that will provide the same kind of consultative approach he delivers to his clients. 

“The first thing that I like about Perry is that you know he has really good character,” Pollock said. “He’s the type of guy that would rather tell you what he believes to be the right move to make, than get your business. You’ve got a sure, steady guy with Perry. Having that voice of somebody that you talk to occasionally for advice is always good.” 

For Pollock, that kind of guidance and expertise, combined with his dogged determination and willingness to think outside of the box, are important ingredients in what he firmly believes will be a recipe for continued success well into the future. 

“We’re going to keep on going and growing and continue to keep our customers happy,” Pollock said. “One thing that is very important to me, is that we keep being the Invision that we’ve always been, meaning that we take great care of people.”